Freedom to Sing? Eureka's Panhandling Law Challenged in Federal Court

Street Arts and Buskers Advocates Thanks for the eye witness account. Please contact the attorneys listed in the law suit PDF to provide affidavit testimony against the city to help stop future abuse. (Court Complaint filed by Peter E. Martin, SBN 121672 peter@martinmacklaw.com and Shelley K. Mack, SBN 209596 shelley@martinmacklaw.com Martin & Mack LLP)

www.northcoastjournal.com/…/strumming-up-a…/Content…The History and Cultural Impact of Street Performing in America
© Stephen H. Baird 2000-2018
The following little historical references are just a glimpse of the depth and breadth of the creative spirit of the human race that blossoms on the street corners, market places, subway platforms and any other place people gather.
Eureka, CA Legal Battle 2016-2018

Oscar Leatherman, a guitar player and singer, is challenging Eureka, California anti panhandling solicitation ordinance in the Northern District California Federal Court. Oscar Leatherman wrote a song about the issue “A Good Chameleon’s Hard to Find (On a Thin Blue Line).” Video of Oscar performing on location on Broadway at Eureka Natural Foods : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk2l2S9IT4M Listen to some of Oscar's recent recordings here: https://soundcloud.com/simonlebunn

Summary of the legal battle:
April, 2016, Anti Panhandling Solicitation ordinance passed by Eureka.
May 13, 2016, Leatherman confronted near a street corner across from Eureka Natural Foods by police Sgt. Rodrigo Reyna-Sanchez
June 20, 2017, Police Officer Neil Hubbard gave Leatherman a ticket for solicitation and guitar impounded
September 5, 2017, Leatherman arrested for busking video published
Video of arrest by National Communications Federation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp1XlviiZ94&feature=youtu.be
September 28, 2017, Northern District Federal Court case filed
Court Complaint filed by Peter E. Martin, SBN 121672 peter@martinmacklaw.com and Shelley K. Mack, SBN 209596 shelley@martinmacklaw.com Martin & Mack LLP PDF HERE
Court House News story "Musician Leads Fight Against Panhandling Ban in Humboldt County" by NICHOLAS IOVINO September 29, 2017, on lawsuit https://www.courthousenews.com/musician-leads-fight-panhan…/
North Coast Journal "Strumming Up a Case" by Linda Stansberry, August 31, 2017 Local troubadour lead plaintiff in Eureka panhandling challenge https://www.northcoastjournal.com/…/strumming-up-a…/Content…
Eureka Times-Standard "Eureka panhandling restrictions challenged in federal court" by Will Houston, September 29, 2017 http://www.times-standard.com/art…/…/20170929/NEWS/170929781